Power Kite Forum

overflying the zenith

geojones - 10-3-2009 at 10:20 PM

i was flying my blade today and the kite was overflying the zenith,trying to get behind me.....after seeing this,i suspect that more than a few people probably have been hurt this way when kite lofts them up and backwards before they can react or they jump when kites at zenith and a gust of wind re-directs the kite behind them.......any thoughts on this?:puzzled:

DAKITEZ - 11-3-2009 at 12:01 AM

tap the brakes to keep it from over shooting you

what gen blade? If its the IV move the AAA setting to higher lift to slow it down.

BeamerBob - 11-3-2009 at 03:34 AM

You can also initiate a turn before it gets critical. You have to be able to sense when it is going to go past zenith and turn it around before. This isn't just me. I've been around many other experienced kiters watching a noob and we would both at the same time say something that indicated we both knew what was about to happen. It just comes from hours of kiting.

ragden - 11-3-2009 at 05:44 AM

I've had my Outlaws do this to me before as well. Making it turn before it gets up that far is probably your best bet. It has been my experience that this only happens in gusty conditions. Still frustrating though...

geojones - 11-3-2009 at 07:20 AM

yeah,i would turn it to keep it from overflying--i think i need to tighten the brake lines as i wasnt getting enough input from them,and YES the winds were gusty--obviously not ideal conditions for a blade ---its a blade 3 4m

dylanj423 - 11-3-2009 at 07:42 AM

Yeah... when that gust hits, it will shoot any kite right over zenith... You will begin to sense it, like others have said... You will also be able to work the brakes to prevent that from happening in a disastrous way.

With my flysurfers, carefully zigzagging the kite between 1130 and 1230, and sheeting in a bit helps to keep the kite in play.

arkay - 11-3-2009 at 08:45 AM

I usually tap the brakes or make tiny figure eights at zenith. With my bullet, keeping parked at 11 doesn't help. I do find that the figure eights make it easier for me to hop into the buggy and get started. when the kite in making the turn back towards me I hop in and am ready to dip the kite down :)

Also, if there's light wind you can start jogging, turn the kite, and make it do a 360 in the air. That's always fun!

TheRealNeO - 4-7-2009 at 05:39 PM

it may be to do with brake setting?

Kamikuza - 4-7-2009 at 06:33 PM

When the wind is good enough for the Bullet to be rockin', it be wantin' to over-fly the zenith argh all the time like. Too much brakes though and it collapses then does the Flexifoil trick of looping around inside the bridle and making a REAL GOOD tangle ... :(
You gotta watch it at the zenith! Avast!

Bladerunner - 5-7-2009 at 08:11 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by arkay
I usually tap the brakes or make tiny figure eights at zenith. With my bullet, keeping parked at 11 doesn't help. I do find that the figure eights make it easier for me to hop into the buggy and get started. when the kite in making the turn back towards me I hop in and am ready to dip the kite down :)

Also, if there's light wind you can start jogging, turn the kite, and make it do a 360 in the air. That's always fun!


While this is how I do things in strong gusty wind it is different.

Keeping the kite too the side is best. That boost forward can lift you and then drop you if you aren't expecting it. If the kite is at the side you won't be as likely to get lifted.

Jack1988 - 13-10-2009 at 11:21 AM

my 4.5 ace does this in considerable winds.

Jellikin - 13-10-2009 at 01:37 PM

My CrossfireIIs are the same. I'll try the small side to side movements next time, i usually give the kite some brake input.